Is it possible within Shopify to not use a Website Builder to avoid confusing customers, then inform them about this headless website that we could create, with a cover art image showing that we are using another provider?
After uploading API Keys and the URL of Shopify to retrieve the data.
There will be an option on Builder.io that allows us to turn off the Shopify theme and show that we are using a headless website hosted elsewhere, so customers will know that they do not have to use Shopify themes.
Can this be done? Regarding your question about Builder.io for Shopify, yes, it’s possible to integrate Builder.io with Shopify to create a headless website.
Headless Website Option:Builder.io can provide an option to toggle off the Shopify theme and instead display content from the headless website hosted elsewhere. This could be achieved through customization within Builder.io’s interface, allowing users to select whether to use the Shopify theme or display content from another provider.
Visual Indicator:Builder.io can include a feature to add a cover art image or other visual elements indicating that the website is using a headless architecture and content from a different provider. This could help inform customers that the site is not solely based on Shopify themes.
If clicking the preview button in Shopify takes users to the Shopify theme builder instead of Builder.io, it could indeed cause confusion and disrupt the user experience, especially if they’re expecting to see changes made within Builder.io.
To address this issue, you can consider the following solutions:
Custom Preview Functionality: Implement custom preview functionality within Builder.io. This could involve integrating Builder.io’s preview feature directly into the Shopify admin interface, so clicking the preview button takes users to a preview of the Builder.io version of the website instead of the Shopify theme builder.
Clear Communication: Clearly communicate to users that changes made within Builder.io are reflected on the live website, even though the preview button might direct them to the Shopify theme builder. Provide instructions or guidance within the Shopify admin interface to help users understand the workflow and how to preview changes made with Builder.io.
Documentation and Support: Offer comprehensive documentation and support resources to assist users in navigating the process of editing their Shopify website with Builder.io. This could include tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides to address common issues and questions users may encounter.
Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feedback mechanism to gather input from users about their experience with the editing process. This can help identify pain points and areas for improvement, allowing you to iteratively enhance the integration between Builder.io and Shopify to better meet users’ needs and expectations.
By implementing these strategies, you can help mitigate confusion and ensure a smoother editing experience for users when using Builder.io with Shopify.
As you have seen, this could be very confusing for customers because if they see a theme on the website, but the website or content is not open, there is no way to hide this or add a section on Shopify.
If you could create a BuilderIO plugin for Shopify that connects to Shopify and says something like “BuilderIO Themes,” then the “Themes” section on Shopify will be disabled when BuilderIO Themes is enabled.
I asked ChatGPT this question this is what they told want to see if then was possible and is and is not but everything is possible within my mind.
However, you can achieve a similar outcome by designing your plugin to intercept requests to the “Themes” section and redirect users to your custom “BuilderIO Themes” section instead. Here’s a refined approach:
Plugin Development: Develop a custom Shopify app or plugin that integrates with BuilderIO. This plugin should include functionality for managing themes within BuilderIO.
Intercept Requests: Within your plugin, intercept requests to the default “Themes” section in Shopify’s admin interface.
Redirect Users: Instead of allowing users to access the default “Themes” section, redirect them to your custom “BuilderIO Themes” section within your plugin.
Permissions and Access Control: Ensure that only authorized users have access to the “BuilderIO Themes” section and that appropriate permissions are enforced.
User Experience: Design the user interface of your custom section to be intuitive and user-friendly for Shopify merchants.
Testing and Deployment: Thoroughly test your plugin to ensure it works as expected and does not introduce any issues or conflicts with existing Shopify functionality. Once tested, deploy the plugin to the Shopify app store or distribute it to users as needed.
Hey @xbrandonpowell Thanks for taking the time to create this post. If you have any suggestions or feedback, feel free to share them with us on our ideas page at Builder.io Ideas. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you!
